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Verdicchio

Verdicchio is a white grape varietal grown primarily in the Marche (pronounced Marke) region of central Italy. Marche is east of Ubria, south and east of Tuscany and north of Abruzzo and Lazio on the Adriatic Sea. The name Verdicchio is derived from verde (green) and refers to the slight green/yellow hue that the wines made from this grape tend to have.

While Verdicchio is widely grown throughout the Marche region, it is most widely encountered in the DOC wines of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and Verdicchio di Matelica. In both of these DOC regions, the varietal must be a minimum of 85 percent of the wine. Both also allow Mavasia and Trebbiano to fill the remainder of the wine. (Sparkling versions are also seen in both of these DOCs.)

There are two other DOCs that are mainly Verdicchio as well, only not as known. First is the Collid Pesaresi where Biancame, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling Italico, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay and Trebbiano are also allowed as blending partners. The other is Esino where Verdicchio is allowed between 50 – 100 percent with many local white varieties permitted to fill the remaining percentage.

In addition to these four main regions where the grape is the main varietal, there are several other regions that permit Verdicchio as a blending grape.

• Cerveteri (Latium) up to15 percent Verdicchio added to Trebbiano, Romagnolo, Giallo and Mavasia.

• Circeo (Latium) up to 15 percent added to Trebbiano.

• Colli Maceratesi (Marche) up to 30 percent added to Maceratino.

• Colli Matani (Umbria) up to 15 percent added to Trebbiano and/or Grechetto.

• Colli Perugini (Umbira) between 15 – 35 percent added to Grechetto and Garganega.

• Colli del Trasimeno (Umbria) up to 40 percent added to Verdello, Mavasia and Grechetto.

• Controguerra up to 25 percent added to Trebbiano and Passerina.

• Falerio dei Colli Ascolani (Marche) up to 15 percent added to Passerina, Malvasia, Pinot Blanc and Pecorino.

Lacrima di Morro d’Alba (Marche) up to 15 percent added to the red varietal Montepulciano.

• Marino (Latium) up to 10 percent added to Malvasia and Trebbiano.

Verdicchio tends to be high in alcohol with mainly citrus notes accompanied by bitter almond tones. The higher acidity levels make the varietal a nice base cuvee for the sparkling wines it is sometimes found in.

Marchetti Verdecchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2010

Appearance: A light straw color with a tint of green

Aroma: Light lemon peel and a touch of white flowers

Flavors: Citrus based with peach and apricot tones and a bit of cream toward the back palate

Finishing Notes: Has a crispness that balances out the citrus base and makes this a nice food wine as well as a stand-alone glass

Perfect Pairing: While this varietal pairs well with many seafood driven dishes as well as lighter style fish courses, we suggest a different route where the citrus and acid area accompanied by some herbal flavors to accent the lighter fruit tones in this particular Verdicchio. A mint and walnut pesto tossed with pappardelle pasta and zucchini ribbons and topped with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.

WINE:30 is written by Karl Bradley and Jody Wuollett, who are both longtime residents of Door County. Jody is the owner operator of Chop Restaurant in the Sister Bay Country Walk Shops and Karl is the General Manager and Executive Chef of the Mission Grille in Sister Bay. They have both been awarded the first level of certification from the Court of the Master Sommeliers.